SAN ANGELO, Texas – The top-ranked Angelo State baseball team split Saturday's NCAA Division II South Central Regional games, winning 10-1 in game one before falling 4-3 in game two at Foster Field at 1st Community Credit Union Stadium.
With the split, the Rams will play one more game against the Patriots with the winner advancing to the Super Regionals next week.
GAME ONE: ASU 10, UTT 1
The Rams jumped out on top in the first game of the day, putting four runs on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Austin Beck brought in two runs on a triple down the left field line before singles by Jordan Williams and Jackson Hardy added two more.
Tripp Clark singled up the middle in the second inning to extend the lead, bringing home Jacob Guerrero on the play.
Starting on the mound for the Rams was Kade Bragg who tossed 7 1/3 innings with only two hits and no runs to go along with five strikeouts. He improves to 13-1 overall on the season, tying the program record for most wins in a season.
The Rams tallied three more runs in the fifth as Williams singled to right field for an RBI before Hardy and Tyler Boggs laid down bunt singles to score two more and extend the lead to 8-0.
Williams tallied another RBI in the sixth inning, hitting a double to right field as Clark crossed home plate. The Rams scored their final run in the eighth as Rance Rosas worked a bases-loaded walk.
Jackson Haga closed out the game with one 2/3 innings of relief, allowing one run on two hits with a strikeout.
GAME TWO: UTT 4, ASU 3
Playing as the away team, the Rams put three runs on the board in the top of the first as Clark doubled to left center to score Thomas Cain before Beck singled through the left side for two RBIs.
The Patriots cut into the lead in the bottom half of the inning, hitting a two-run home run. They tied the game in the third with another long ball, hitting a solo homer to right field.
Braxton Pearson started on the mound, throwing five innings with four runs on eight hits. Mason Bryant, Caleb Heuertz and Austin Teel all threw one inning of relief without a run.
UTT tallied the go ahead run in sixth, grounding out to the pitcher to score the runner from first.
The Rams and the Patriots square off one final time tomorrow beginning at 2 p.m.
